Contents

Understand

It is useful to understand that although from 1940 to 1991 Latvia was a constituent republic of the USSR, the official language is Latvian. However, a significant minority (up to 40% nationwide and possibly just over 50% in the capital Riga) is Russian speaking. The majority of ethnic Latvians living in the city, not only those old enough to have attended school during Soviet times, can also speak and understand Russian. However, many prefer to converse in Latvian. English and also German are widely understood at places regularly visited by tourists and foreigners but you may be out of luck when leaving the city centre or visiting places off the beaten track.

Get in

By bus

A bus line from Riga, 45-50min for approx. 1,5Ls

By train

Electric train line from Riga in 50min for approx. 1,3Ls

By boat

Jelgava is in coast of river Lielupe. River Lielupe is connect to Baltic sea.

By car

You can rent taxi (if arrive from Riga or Riga airport).

Get around

Taxi

There are no trains, trolley buses or metro in Jegava. There is a very good bus line. Line 1 will take you from one part of the city to another.

There is a train service that extends to all parts of the country as well as other big cities like Saint Petersburg. However, the tickets do not include information about the time and place to catch the train, that information must be looked up on the train departures info table.

See

Palace on the island of river Lielupe. Similar palace to Rundales and Winter Palace in St.Peterburg, created by Bartolomeo Rastrelli.
Academia Petrina - currently museum. Several interesting churchies.

Get out

There is few clubs/pubs.

Most popular are
Tonuss - club, with several halls. Place with a lot of young people.
Jelgavas Četri Balti Krekli - club where play only Latvian music

Do

Parachute jumps

It's possible to do tandem or solo skydives at Jelgava airfield. More information at Latvian FreeFly Peppers website [1]

Learn

"Brainstorm", probably the most popular rock-band from Eastern Europe, has emerged from a craddle called Jelgavas 1. vidusskola (Secondary School No 1), where also such National talents as A. Skrastins, A. Vaznis, E. Radzina, A. Skele, E. Repse have made their first steps in the world of fame.

Latvijas Lauksaimniecibas Universitāte - University of Agriculture of Latvia is a well recognized university.